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False and the True in Education
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Myths and Fairy Tales
In the education of children and youth, fairy tales, myths, and
fictitious stories are now given a large place. Books of this character
are used in the schools, and they are to be found in many homes.
How can Christian parents permit their children to use books so
filled with falsehood? When the children ask the meaning of stories
so contrary to the teaching of their parents, the answer is that the
stories are not true; but this does not do away with the evil results of
their use. The ideas presented in these books mislead the children.
They impart false views of life and beget and foster a desire for the
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unreal.
The widespread use of such books at this time is one of the
cunning devices of Satan. He is seeking to divert the minds of old
and young from the great work of character building. He means that
our children and youth shall be swept away by the soul-destroying
deceptions with which he is filling the world. Therefore he seeks to
divert their minds from the word of God and thus prevent them from
obtaining a knowledge of those truths that would be their safeguard.
Never should books containing a perversion of truth be placed
in the hands of children or youth. Let not our children, in the very
process of obtaining an education, receive ideas that will prove to be
seeds of sin. If those with mature minds had nothing to do with such
books, they would themselves be far safer, and their example and
influence on the right side would make it far less difficult to guard
the youth from temptation.
We have an abundance of that which is real, that which is divine.
Those who thirst for knowledge need not go to polluted fountains.
The Lord says:
“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise,
And apply thine heart unto My knowledge....
That thy trust may be in the Lord,
I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
Have not I written to thee excellent things
In counsels and knowledge,
That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of
truth;